Stefano from Leonardo Software House has updated the community regarding the status of its upcoming McDonnell Douglas MD-80 for MSFS2020. The Long Beach-built airliner is officially in “advanced beta testing”, as the fixed Software Development Kit has allowed the team to progress on the project as anticipated. There’s no release date yet, as the foreseeable development is contingent on MSFS’s evolution. 

LSH’s Release Plan

Similar to their Prepar3D release map, Leonardo will most likely divide their Maddog packages by variant. The team will initially release the MD-82 with JT8D-217A engines, a 162Y configured cabin, and a Honeywell FMS to satisfy NAV, VNAV, and ACARS. Following the MD-82 will be an MD-83/88 expansion package, and then JT8D-217C/219 engines, the Canadian Marconi FMS and PMS, an EFB, as well as aging and servicing features.  

Anticipated MSFS Features

If you’re strapped for time, a few notable features of the release include:

• Fully functioning avionics
• Flight model true to real aircraft performance
• New FMS page to control ground objects and doors
• SimBrief/PFPX integration via the Load Manager
• Livery Manager
• Cockpit color customization
• Weight and Balance/Route Planner
• Customizable Load Manager units
• Flat or Cone tail
• Failures
• FSUIPC compatibility
  

Below is the full feature list that’ll be included in the release version of the MD-80, the list is quite substantial, but not overwhelming. 

Fly the Maddog X MSFS version 1.0 will include:

- MD82 with -217A engines, PAX Cabin 162Y and Honeywell FMS for NAV/VNAV/ACARS;

- Flight model and engines performances tested and matched against real aircraft performance tables;

- All systems/avionics/tests etc, fully implemented as in the P3D version, including failures/INOPs feature, fully dimmable integral and flood lightning, working TCAS and EGPWS terrain mode;

- New FMS Services page for controlling DOORS/STAIR, External power, fuel loading, etc.;

- Fully integrated with MSFS ecosystem (jetway, catering, baggage loader, etc...);

- Integration with PFPX/SimBrief via Load Manager and retrieval of OFP data via the ACARS system;

- Livery manager, and aircraft settings configurable for different aircrafts;

- Livery-based cockpit color (pink, blue or gray) and main panel variations (including placards and speed bugs);

- Can be installed in the same machine with Fly the Maddog X for P3D;

Configurable options from Load Manager: 

- Panel state when starting simulation (Cold & Dark, Ready at Gate, Ready for Takeoff...);

- Weight & Balance and route planner;

- Load Manager units (Kg/mbar or Lbs/InHg);

Aircraft options:

- Cockpit units (Kg/mbar or Lbs/InHg);

- PFD flight director style (cross bar or single cue), rising runway, ND wind arrow, groundspeed and aircraft map symbol, HDG UP or TRK UP option;

- PFD wired to opposite NAV;

- Armed altitude as FL and AutoArm altitude option;

- Gear waring inhibit above 1500ft AGL;

- Always play aural when autopilot disconnects;

- Auto brake system;

- Three VOR instrument versions: VOR/ADF/DME, VOR/ADF and VOR only;

- Two altimeter versions: DUAL/SINGLE knob;

- Optional TAS/SAT indicator;

- Flat or Cone tail;

Simulator options:

- Enable failures;

- Autopilot disconnect when flight controls moved;

- Automatic update of aircraft weight and cg;

- Automatic fuel loading;

- Enable PM calls;

- Sync CM1/CM2;

- FSUIPC compatibility mode;

- Maximum luminosity of all cockpit lights and instruments (flood, integral, LED, LCD and CRT);

- Failures probability, separated for LIGHT, MEDIUM and DANGEROUS;

- INOP systems according to MEL;

Some Sidenotes

Stefan informed the community that the Maddog will contain modifiable settings (including panel states) actively within the sim without requiring a flight restart. Another detail mentioned in the footnotes is the lack of weather radar functionality due to the SDK’s current state, but will be implemented, for free, as soon as the SDK will allow. 

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